The RCGOP Says... RCGOP Says... Archives Palin is a breath of fresh air   RCGOP Chairman Teressa Beavers   The "Palin Party" was a great success. The paper's coverage was very well done. The photos were wonderful. I really wanted to thank all the ladies who made that happen. It was wonderful to see women from both sides of the political aisle come together and celebrate achievement by women.   Governor Sarah Palin is not only beautiful, but also very intelligent. I have heard her referred to as the "Republican Princess." She is a breath of fresh air. It seems everyone is intrigued by her. The media complains about her amount of experience, but her rise to executive leadership in such a short time only accentuates how smart and qualified she is to be our next vice president. Her nickname in high school was "Sarah Barracuda." She is competitive and not afraid to take on political corruption. The media questions her ability to be both vice president and a mother. How absurd. Did anyone question Queen Elizabeth II as a mother and also a leader of her country? It appears to me that only certain women can rise to power in this country. It appears that even Oprah doesn’t want to interview her. I thought Oprah’s theme song was, "I'm Every Woman." Apparently that doesn't apply to conservative women. I am so glad there is a pro-life woman in this presidential race. Sarah Palin not only balances her career and family, but will also be a great vice president. Vote McCain and Palin in November. Congressman Hayes Exemplifies Leadership Dan Moody A wonderful story about helping the working people of this country who are looking for Congress to do something about the rising gas prices while maintaining a conservationist foresight and is directly attributable to our own Eighth District Congressman Robin Hayes has been lost in the media. According to a report published on the website Earthportal.org, a site that is described as, “ a comprehensive resource for timely, objective, science-based information about the environment,” Congressman Hayes and eleven other Congressmen from across the country have generated legislation to tackle this immense problem. Earth News reports, “The bill would relax current bans on offshore drilling, lifting the federal moratorium on leases more than 50 miles offshore. Drilling would be prohibited within 25 miles of land, and states would have a chance to opt out of allowing leasing between 25 and 50 miles of their coasts.” The bipartisan legislation supported by Republican and Democrat alike would allow the revenue generated by this drilling to be divided between Federal and state governments at 30 percent each, and the other possible $1 trillion or 40 percent to be designated for, “conservation and renewable energy legislation, including nuclear waste recycling and carbon capture and sequestration.” Congressman Robin Hayes has been an outspoken leader on the need for our country’s representation to strive for a quest to take advantage of the energy resources currently available in America, but as yet untapped, while balancing that exploration with the goal of doing so in an environmentally friendly way. Leadership such as this is sorely needed by American working families and I’m sure that Congressman Hayes is hoping that his fellow Congressmen will consider that legislation when they return from their break. That leadership is exemplified by positive representatives just like Congressman Robin Hayes. Positive Accomplishment's By President Bush Ignored By Local Paper   Lee P. Butler   One of the most vile, vulgar letters that has ever been published in any newspaper appeared in the Daily Journal recently referring to the President’s name in a reprehensible manner. It’s understandable that liberals have such a deep seated hatred and anger towards President Bush, but how is it the editorial staff of the Journal didn’t recognize the unnecessary, lack of anything humanly essential in it for publication? The same folks who saw some twisted, demented validity in that letter also finds nothing of substance in the fact that Africa warmly embraced President Bush and his wife Laura as they honored him for all he has done for the people of Africa. Even liberal musician Bob Geldof sung the President’s praises saying, "has done more [for Africa] than any other president so far," and chastised the American media for ignoring what the president has done, adding, "You guys didn't pay attention.” They paid attention, they just can‘t bring themselves to giving a Republican credit for humanitarian efforts. The rock band U2’s front man said of President Bush, "I think he's done an incredible job, his administration, on AIDS. And 250,000 Africans are on anti-viral drugs. They literally owe their lives to America. In one year that's been done." The NY Sun editorialized, “most [liberals] fail to notice the administration's impressive success in ending the conflicts in the Congo and Liberia.” They also don’t care about the fact that Bush has spent more on education in this country than the last four president’s combined! Even actress and U.N. humanitarian representative Angelina Jolie addressed the positive accomplishments in Iraq, "What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made. In fact, we should step up our financial and material assistance." Worst president ever? Not by a long shot. The Republican Party Has Always Fought For The Rights Of African-Americans Lee P. Butler Democrat President Lyndon B. Johnson once exclaimed that African-Americans were ‘getting uppity’ and that was bad for Democrats because, ‘they’ve got something now they never had before, the political pull to back up their uppityness.” LBJ said that in 1957, the same year Republican President Dwight Eisenhower passed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, sent troops to protect the ‘Little Rock Nine’ in Arkansas, created the Civil Rights Commission, and during his presidency ended segregation in the military. As for the ‘God-given rights’ of African-Americans, Republicans wrote and passed the 13th, 14th, and 15th Constitutional Amendments and Republican Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen helped write the legislation and formed the coalition that passed the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, 1964 and 1965. Dirksen was so instrumental in fighting discrimination against African-Americans that NAACP chairman Roy Wilkins bestowed upon him the Leadership Conference of Civil Rights Award. Because Democrat Woodrow Wilson removed African-Americans from their government jobs in 1912 and discriminatory hiring practices towards African-Americans across the country, in 1969 Republican President Richard Nixon implemented the Philadelphia Plan which was re-formulated by African-American Republican Arthur Fletcher as Assistant Labor Secretary. Fletcher was the ‘Father of Affirmative Action’, while executive director of the United Negro College Fund in 1972 coined the phrase, ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste’, and served three Republican presidents. On May 10th, 1900, the New York Times editorialized, “The Republican Party committed a great public crime when it gave the rights of suffrage (voting) to the blacks.” What is truly tragic is so many African-Americans today don’t know their own history and many even spit on the graves of those Americans from a Party who gave their lives in the spirit that African-Americans would be able to live in a country that would allow them their ‘God-given rights’. Democrats Attack Congressman Hayes For The Destruction They Created Lee P Butler So let’s see. The Democrats assert that Eighth District U.S. Congressman Robin Hayes, “made money off the announcement” that tobacco company Phillip Morris is going to close one of its facilities in Cabarrus County inside his district. That’s rich. Those same Democrats don’t seem to see a problem trying to score cheap nonsensical political points using the tragic, gut-wrenching loss of employment these working families are having to endure and adjust to. Does the fate of these people not matter to the DCCC or is shilling for Larry ‘Gas For Votes’ Kissell more important to them? While Democrats turn a blind eye to members of their own Party making millions from selling their stock in Wal-Mart and ‘Big Oil’ to avoid charges of hypocrisy, Congressman Hayes was working to help those families by fighting for their jobs and stating correctly, “the cost of doing nothing is the guaranteed loss of 2,500 manufacturing jobs in North Carolina.” Here’s a bigger question, why are these people potentially losing their jobs? Starting with ambulance chasing lawyers like Democrat John Edwards who have practically litigated tobacco companies out of business, the first casualties of these Democrat machinations were tobacco farmers, many of whom needed a tax-payer funded bailout. Then came the excessive taxation placed on the tobacco using populace by none-other-than tax hike loving Democrats who still aren’t finished raising taxes in North Carolina on everything but especially tobacco. To present day Democrat actions, including those of our locally elected representatives, of banning tobacco use entirely if they could get their way. So Democrats do everything in their power to totally destroy an industry, then attempt to make political hay out of the repercussions of their own actions! The headline should have read, “Hayes urges state, Cabarrus to work together, while pulling arrogant Democrat daggers from his back.” Sales tax would be fair, county needs to examine expense Teressa Beavers I agree with what Ms. Jamie Moss says about raising taxes. It is hard enough to purchase a home and then pay more taxes on top of that. I am also tired of the middle class people footing the bill for all the rest of the nation. I too was poor once and so was my husband, but we didn’t have to stay that way. The only fair way to raise taxes if we must is to make an across the board sales tax so that “everyone” poor or rich has to pay into it. The working folks already have to pay outrageous income and state taxes. Did you know there are people who don’t even pay income tax but who get “tax income credit” every year? They can get a big check back as a refund, and not even pay a dime in income tax. Is that fair? I am sure there are others in this county who don’t want their property taxes raised again. They just did that for the school bond. Sure we have a lower tax base here than some of the surrounding counties. It may be cheaper to live here, but do we offer our citizens what other counties offer them? Do we have the retail stores, golf courses and the restaurants that they do? You get what you pay for, so if I am going to pay even higher property tax, I want to see more development here. What we are doing will, as Kenneth Robinette said, discourage businesses from developing here. Why not let us vote on it? If I have to pay more taxes it should be across the board, make everyone share this Medicaid burden. Sales tax would be fairer. And why are we having such high Medicaid bills anyway? I know of one parent who has two “mentors” for her children afterschool (not during school) who are paid out of Medicaid. Are we paying people to babysit other people’s children when they should be doing it themselves? I think Richmond County might need to examine its Medicaid allotments and see if everything is truly needed. Facts Just Don’t Matter To The Liberal Media Lee P Butler 33 individuals or businesses were convicted during Clinton‘s presidency and 5 members of the Clinton Cabinet came under criminal investigation, including the indictment of Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy. In December of 1998 Bill Clinton himself was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice. Since ten Republicans sided with every single democrat in the Senate, he was only censured and not actually removed from office. "The president acknowledges that, looking back now, some of the statements that he made in that deposition were false," Mr. Clinton's spokesman Mr. Siewert admitted. Yet according to the liberal press as mindlessly mimicked by the liberal Journal Editorial Board, I. Lewis ‘Scooter‘ Libby is “the highest-ranking White House official convicted” since Iran-Contra. Just so you know, Libby was only an advisor to the Vice President… that’s not a cabinet position, which in fact would be a higher ranking government official. And don’t try the ‘Espy was eventually acquitted’ tact. The Libby case hasn’t even begun the appeals process, but the Journal wants Cheney hanged in the public square. Libby was convicted by jury of the same charges Clinton was impeached for and eventually had to plead… hint: Clinton was President, there is no higher office. I have one major question, especially since I once challenged the Journal to prove that Plame was, “a covert CIA agent” and never got a response. Why, after wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayers dollars on a non-existent criminal case, did the special prosecutor only charge perjury and obstruction of justice? Maybe because Victoria Toensing, the woman who helped write the law protecting intelligence agents, still contends that mandate wasn’t violated. Facts just don’t matter to the liberal media. To them the truth is all Republicans are criminals and should be prosecuted based solely on that premise. Hayes has been a good Richmond congressman Teressa Beavers I can’t believe one person could complain about anything that Robin Hayes has done for Richmond County. In spite of the low numbers of registered Republicans compared to the Democrats, he continues to get help for projects and individuals in Richmond County. Many people have told me that they couldn’t believed how people voted against him in the last election after the things he has done for Richmond County. Just a few that have been in the paper, (if you read the paper), have been the new airport terminal, fire stations’ constructions and engines, school technology program at Rohanen, the veteran’s clinic, tobacco buyouts and other help with Richmond County farming. He has helped individuals, who have had VA problems, problems with disability benefits and other non-profit organizations applications that were tied up in red tape, get their money and recognition. I don’t remember Bill Hefner (D) doing for Richmond County what Robin has done for us. And if you only visit other counties in the Eighth District, you will see other projects that he has orchestrated — parks, money for water projects and more. The Democratic party had said before they convened in January one of their main goals was to get rid of “ear marked” projects — special interest projects. Don’t you watch the news? Sure Robin Hayes was unable to come through on some of his promises when they make that kind of statement. Robin Hayes has been a good congressman for all of Richmond County. Is There A Democrat Who Can Make Hillary Take A Back Seat In 2008?   Teressa Beavers Well I guess the Democratic Party thinks they will get their “beloved” Bill Clinton back if Hillary were to win the presidency. It’s not if we can stand her as president, but can we stand him in the White House again? Where will he take his girlfriends then if Hillary is in the oval office? The Lincoln bedroom? The years of the Clinton administration really demoralized our country with his adulterous affairs and scandals. Even if people aren’t in favor of all that President Bush has done in his two terms, we have to at least say he hasn’t been unfaithful to his wife and I believe he is a man of faith. We don’t need “Slick Willie” back on Pennsylvania Avenue. As Glen Beck said on his show, “If Hillary hadn’t have been planning to run for the White House years ago, she would have thrown Bill’s clothes out onto the White House lawn when he was caught with Monica Lewinsky.” She is someone who is power hungry and who does not care genuinely about the American people. Her goal is power and prestige. I think she only wants to be in power for her own selfish reasons. She thinks she will be the first woman president, but we will see about that. We may one day elect a woman for president, but I hope it will be someone with more ethics and character than she has. Her Web site tells you how liberal she is. She believes in abortion on demand and plenty more liberal views. She can’t connect to the public because she seems angry all the time. She doesn’t really seem to be a happy person. Maybe there will be so many Democrat candidates for president (like last time) that someone will emerge from the crowd and make her take a back seat. We will see. You must vote to have a voice Teressa Beavers Apparently, people don’t realize there are two major parties with a voice in our government — Democrats and Republicans. You have to vote for one to really have a voice. Whether you approve or disapprove of every member’s behavior, it shouldn’t discourage you from voting. “Bad apples” don’t warrant throwing out the issues of each platform. I want to “follow Jesus’ teachings” and I have a duty to speak out against as many immoral issues nationally as possible. Christians sat back and let prayer be taken out of school. If that means all I can do is vote, then that’s what I do. The Democrats’ platform, which their local chairman Goodwin, claims to be following “Jesus’ teachings,” show they support abortion and same sex unions both of which, God’s Word, denounces. Paul the greatest teacher of Jesus’ teachings and writer of two-thirds of the New Testament says in Romans 1: 26 “God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another working that which is unseemly ... God also destroyed whole cities for their gay lifestyles calling them “sodomites.” And what about John the Baptist, Luke 1: 44 says, at the voice of Mary’s salutation to his mother, “the babe leaped in her womb for joy.” Was John simply a growth in her body that she could cut out like mole or wart. Jeremiah said that God sanctified him “before he came out of the womb” and ordained him a prophet. Are Democrats really promoting Jesus’ teachings? Local Democrats can’t separate themselves from their liberal party members such as Hillary, Nancy Pelosi and Ted Kennedy. Times have changed and platforms have too. The Truth Will Never Be Silenced Lee P Butler First of all, Goodwin never gave ‘early Republicans’ a nod for anything and denounced all Republican participation in history, except Lincoln. I quoted Goodwin directly on that point! Next, I can’t, ‘own up to’ something that is not true. Lincoln advocated freedom for every American, which remains a bastion of Republican ideological principle. If democrats admit mistakes, why didn’t Goodwin, instead of attacking Mr. Buck? Or was the intention of Goodwin to ‘mislead’ people about democrat history? I also did not ‘take credit’ for Social Security. I clearly wrote that it was extended ‘to include millions more people’. Republican President Dwight Eisenhower pushed to modify Social Security legislation to include farmers and self-employed domestic workers... mostly African-Americans ‘left behind‘ by FDR. Along with other misinformation presented by Ms. Strong, I challenge her to produce one piece of factual data that shows the Republican Party is, “anti-minority, anti-worker, anti-women’s rights, anti-balanced budgets,” or ever has been. From 1854 to today, the Republican Party has always led the charge for civil rights and equality for everyone regardless of age, gender or race. In the 1990’s the Republican proposed ‘Contract With America’ included ‘balanced-budget’ legislation that actually passed in the House. I will always speak out against erroneous democrat accusations against Republicans especially fallacious attacks that we‘re ‘anti-minority’ or ‘anti-women’s rights.’ The 13th Amendment was vetoed by democrat President Johnson but was still ratified because Republican controlled state legislatures carried it. President Reagan appointed one of the first women to a cabinet position, Elizabeth Dole, and President Bush appointed the first African-American male, Colin Powell, and African-American female, Condoleezza Rice, as Secretary of State. Early Republicans to current Republicans, the record is the same. You may not want to accept the multi-faceted nature of history and hurl derogatory epithets at those who illuminate your revisionist distortions, but the truth will never be silenced. Chairman of Richmond County Democrats Does More Than 'Mislead'!   Vice-Chairman Lee P. Butler Mr. Buck was correct that the county Democrat Chairman’s comments were misleading, and worse. The premise of Mr. Buck’s letter was that the chairman had ‘misled’ the public about the founding of the Democrat Party. The chairman attacked Mr. Buck using points that only confirmed Mr. Buck’s assertion. The chairman wrote, “Historians agree that Jackson reconstituted a large faction of Jefferson’s party, making it more populist. The 1836 convention shortened the Party’s name from the Democratic-Republican Party to the Democratic Party.” He proved Mr. Buck’s statement, “Andrew Jackson’s supporters (not Thomas Jefferson) founded the Democratic Party,” to be accurate, then misled again when he charged that Mr. Buck, “totally divorces Jefferson from this role,” as co-founder of the Democrat Party. Isn’t that exactly what the chairman did? He never mentioned Jackson’s name as “co-founder” of his party in his original commentary. Why? Was it because the conveniently unmentioned Jackson and “co-founder” was a noted racist? The chairman wrote, “Democrats — not GOP leaders — tirelessly pursued voting, property, education, and equal rights for men, women and children of all colors.” That, my friends, is worse than “misleading.” The Republican Party was founded on the principle of abolishing slavery. It was the Republican Party that fought for African-American and women’s suffrage. Republicans created the Department of Health, Education, & Welfare, EPA, OSHA, CPSC, the Agricultural Marketing Act, the student loan program, and extended Social Security to include millions more people. The Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964 were written and passed by Republicans in the face of Democrat opposition. The first African-American Senator, Hiram Rhodes Revels and member of the House of Representatives, Joseph H. Rainey, the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Jeannette Rankin and the two African-American women who helped establish the NAACP, Ida Wells and Mary Terrell were all Republicans. Don’t make accusations that historical facts won’t support! Democrats Have No Plan Chairman Teressa Beavers No plan for the war, no plan for Social Security, no plan for the economy of Richmond County. This is what I see as I listen to the Democrats constantly slam the President and Republicans during this election season. What is their plan? Do they have one? Let’s just bring everyone home from Iraq and then what? That will only cause more problems It seems the main campaign focus for the Democrats on a national and state level is to blame everything on the GOP. Democrats have no plans. The only words I hear coming out of their mouths is what Republicans have messed up. Locally what are the Democrats going to do for the citizens of Richmond County? Continue to raise taxes, give freebies to those who have learned how much easier it is to get aid than to work? I get really frustrated when people say: “I don’t vote for the party, I vote for the person.” If they are a member of a party that pushes liberal agenda in Washington and North Carolina, you need to rethink why you vote that way. People tell me, “my parents and I have always been Democrats.” When my dad was a Democrat in 1969, we didn’t have same sex marriage, partial birth abortion, or abortion legally for that matter. If we continue to support parties that push liberal agendas in this country, we will continue on a downward spiral morally. People voting even at a local level to further a party that is way left of family values, will help Democrats nationally to continue to push their corrupt agenda. Vote, but don’t vote for the person or the party. Vote for issues. “Democrats — but they don’t really believe in same sex marriage or abortion” — tell your candidate to change his party. Goodwin complains, but cap did not lower gasoline tax David Browder Republican N.C. House Candidate I was not surprised Candidate Goodwin was complaining of a lack of facts. All the while her husband/handler distorted the facts about the GOP in collusion with the front page of the Journal. North Carolina has a gasoline tax among the highest in the nation. The democrats in Raleigh put it in place in an attempt to support an unrealistic, unsustainable budget. Also many other regressive taxes and fees, that most adversely affect the poor and working class, were added during Mrs. Melanie’s tenure. The cap did not reduce the per gallon rate. The price of gasoline rose so high the percentage tax rate, which was not reduced, reached such an obscene level that even the democrats were shamed into saying this is outrageous. We cannot increase the per gallon total amount of tax anymore. When you save people money you charge them less; one does not, simply not charge them more. The cap was not a savings it was a confession that the percentage tax system on gas in North Carolina is a rip off. These election season tactics are a reminder of the election when Bill Hefner was in trouble. Glenn Sumpter came up with the airplane propeller factory fairy tale. That was different though. Usually the citizens of Richmond County only get the shaft from the democratic political monopoly — that time they got the propeller shaft. I was once dickering with a fiddle trader about a $700 fiddle. I said can you give me a better price than $700. The wizened old fiddle trader scowled, strange looks, his eyebrows articulated into numerous contortions. Then a gleam came to his eye and a faint smile to one side of his mouth. He said yea, I can give you a better price than $700, how about $1,000. The cap did not give you a lower gas tax rate. It just did not give you a better one. More abortions have destroyed life than U.S. wars combined Teressa Beavers A letter to the editor recently addressed the war casualties in Iraq and the war in general. During this election time it becomes a favorite topic for Democrats stating that many are being killed over there, etc. However, if they are so concerned with deaths and casualties, why don’t they take a look at their own promoted platform that endorses the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision “Roe vs. Wade?” More unborn children have been “killed” here than all the U.S. wars combined. Here are some stats: Revolutionary War — 26,000; Civil War — 600,000; World War I — 126,000; World War II — 407,318; Korean War — 33,629; and Vietnam War — 57,685. Roe vs Wade ruled unborn babies are not legal “persons” and have since then put to death over 45,000,000 babies in this country. But if someone tries to mention reversing this case, the pro-choicers and the Democrat Party have an outcry. The liberals think that a woman should have the right to abortion just as she has the right to remove any parasite that is growing in or own her body. I heard rumor of a group called “devout” democrats who want people to know that they are faith based too. This to me will be a lie until they change their platform views. Sure people are being killed in Iraq, but our intentions were to keep peace not to kill. The biggest percentage of issues that are a concern to citizens according to the latest TV poll is terrorism. People may not like the situation in Iraq, but as my husband tells people, “would you feel better if Al Gore had gotten elected president?” North Carolinians think they are not part of the same as the Democrat Party in Washington, but your platform is the same. Citizens need to take a look at what they believe and what their party believes. Vice Chairman Butler Gets Attacked By Former State Democrat Representative   A former state democrat representative recently attacked Vice-Chairman Butler in a letter-to-the-editor that was published by the local paper. Along with some other very interesting moves by the Democrat Party in Richmond County, Mr. Conder’s letter displays the liberal ‘no-agenda-other-than-personal-attacks-and-cut&run-from-Iraq’ strategy.   Mr. Conder wrote, “I have often wondered where Lee Butler received his information about the war in Iraq. It is certainly contrary to what I have read and heard.”   The first question here is what exactly is he talking about?   If you scan down below this post, you can clearly see in VC Butler’s last letter that he QUOTED DIRECTLY from the very same NIE report that Conder’s fellow liberals had originally cut-and-pasted to fit their ‘cut-and-run’ philosophy as promoted by the media. Based on that, Butler obviously ‘received his information’ from the report prepared by the intelligence community and Conder finds that ‘contrary’ to what he’s ‘read and heard’ because he is selectively reading and hearing!   Another confusing statement from Mr. Conder that was grammatically incorrect, “When asked why Iraqi soldiers have not been trained sufficiently to take over the military after over four years of training.”   Maybe Mr. Conder just doesn’t read or hear all that much as even the liberal media has covered events in Iraq that directly ‘contradicts’ his opinion:   By Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin 1st Marine Division CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq, March 15, 2006 — Iraqi soldiers are right on schedule with training requirements that will allow them to eventually relieve U.S. military forces in western Al Anbar Province, according to Marine officials here. Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division - one of two Iraqi Army brigades in western Al Anbar Province - have spent months now learning the administrative and decision-making processes they’ll need to function as a military headquarters element to the three Iraqi infantry battalions which will eventually be under their charge.   Another example of the Iraqi take over from our military responsibilities happened even more recently, as reported by REBECCA SANTANA, “BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraq formally took over command of its armed forces from the U.S.-led coalition Thursday, a milestone American officials have hailed as crucial to the country's difficult road to independence and eventual withdrawal of foreign troops.”   Conder also asserts, “When asked did he see an “end” in sight, he paused for a few seconds and said we might see some troops come home, but we would have American troops there forever.”   Okay? We still have troops in many parts of the world and probably will have forever. That’s an inevitability in the modern day world which has become a global entity. Hiding behind oceans will not protect us from the terrorist threat that exists everywhere and has for quite some time, even before the Iraq war started.   Conder even utilized the standard Democrat maneuver of misdirection by implying something, then ‘explaining’ his own manufactured assertion when he wrote, “Former Republican Secretary of State James Baker and Republican Sen. John Warner both said we needed a new direction in Iraq.”   Actually, they said that if the Iraqi government couldn’t control the violence between the religious factions there in the near future, they should consider dividing the country into three religiously divided sectors. President Bush openly stated that he’s open to any suggestions: “WASHINGTON — President Bush opened the door to possible changes in his approach to the Iraq war, declaring Wednesday that "we'll change tactics when we need to change tactics," amid pressure from Republicans about the unrelenting violence and the shortcomings of the government in Baghdad. Bush said at a White House news conference that the description of his policy as a stay-the-course stance was only "about a quarter right." "My attitude is, don't do what you're doing if it's not working — change," he said.   Bush said he looked forward to the upcoming recommendations from Baker and his co-chairman, former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, (D-Ind.), who once chaired the House's Foreign Affairs Committee. Bush also said he "completely" agreed with Warner's comment that "if the plan is not now working, America needs to adjust." "For those folks saying, you know, 'Make sure there's flexibility,' I couldn't agree more with you," Bush said. Bush said he is open to suggestions for change from Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of U.S. forces in Iraq. At the same time, Bush asserted that the government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki was making progress in improving security, brokering political compromises among the country's ethnic and religious groups and strengthening the central government.”   Then Conder followed the totally absurd liberal line of appeasement when he wrote, “The situation in Iraq is worse now than when Saddam Hussein was the dictator.”   Does it really need to be explained how completely ridiculous that statement is? Rape rooms, torture chambers, millions of slaughtered Muslims thrown in mass graves and hundreds of thousands of children starved to death… yeah, it’s worse now than it was under Saddam’s rule!!??   Conder finished by writing, “I see no way we can win this Civil War in Iraq. It is past time to get our troops out of Iraq as quickly and safely as possible.”   Can you say ‘CUT-AND-RUN’?   A recent Charlotte Observer poll and article explaining the poll results stated, "Forty-eight percent said the war was worth fighting," which contradicts Conder's assertion. Even those who may disagree with the current conditions in Iraq don't want to leave before the job is done.   It's pretty clear who hasn't been 'reading and hearing' the information concerning the military action in Iraq as we fight the War on Terror and it's not VC Butler.   Besides, the letter itself was just a rehash of the liberal position in the War on Terror, so why did Conder start the letter attacking Butler when he could have just as easily left that part out of the letter and still made his point?   Instead, it looked like a coordinated effort by Democrats to attack the RCGOP just outside an election. Don't they have candidates they could be promoting instead of leveling attacks without merit and/or facts? Iraq Is The Frontline Battle In The War On Terror Lee P Butler “Perceived jihadist success there [Iraq] would inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere. Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight.” The Journal editorial board and their fellow liberal Democrats want to ignore that statement from the very same NIE report they recently echoed after the DNC cherry-picked only the parts they wanted aired. Simply stated, if we follow through and finish the job in Iraq, the terrorists that still exist will give up the fight. If we follow the liberal plan of ‘cut-and-run’, the terrorists will ‘continue the struggle elsewhere’. Are more terrorists being created in Afghanistan where a female leader was killed for promoting women’s rights or by the Pope’s speech that caused riots or the false, inflammatory stories about Koran desecration or the liberal media’s incessant craving to label prisoner interrogation as ‘torture’? Iraq is but a battle in the War on Terror. The actual ’war’ is global. Terrorists are everywhere and they’re just like cockroaches. You rarely see them in the light, they mostly scatter and hide and attack the weakest among us. The ones in the kitchen may never collude with the ones in the bedroom, but they still work together to destroy and dominate the house in which they reside. To eradicate the threat they pose you have to remove as many of them as possible. As British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently said, "You do not create terrorism by fighting terrorism." Giving the terrorists ‘rights’, worrying about our ‘image’ and calling the President ‘King George’ will not protect us from the grave and dangerous threat terrorists present. Bush is not the enemy, extremist Islamo-facists are and defeating terrorism in Iraq is the frontline battle. No Separation of Church and State in the Constitution Lee P Butler I’m wondering, when exactly did Florida Baptist’s become an ‘ultra-right religious sect’? Do North Carolina Baptist’s fall into the same category? Is the term ‘sect’ being used in the general sense of the word or in the connotation that those people being referred to are ‘extremists’? Were politicians preying on people for votes when they passed laws that were written and are currently legislated in our everyday lives based on religious belief and do those laws make America a theocracy? What about the separation of church and state the Journal editorial board somehow was able to find in the Constitution? Doesn’t exist. Never has. They claim this statute exists in the First Amendment. Liberals love to ignore the first five words of the Constitution while they pontificate about how much more astute at deciphering the intentions behind the words used by our fore-fathers in the Constitution than the rest of us mindless peons. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” meaning Congress... the government... can never establish a nationally recognized religion that everyone has to participate in. “Or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” which is self-explanatory. It is a limitation on our government’s power to prevent you from worshipping in your own way. Even if that means praying in school or saying a religiously-based oath for office or even electing someone based on their religious faith. If there were a separation of church and state, then every married couple reading this, just discovered that their marriage is null-and-void and you are currently living in sin based on the law of the land the Journal asserts can’t exist! Is England a theocracy? The preposterous assertion that Harris wants America to be a theocracy makes the Journal just as guilty of preying on people as they claim she was. Chairman Beavers Supports The Uniform Policy Teresa Beavers I guess we’ll never hear the end of some parents’ disapproval of the Richmond County Schools uniform policy. As far as employees wearing uniform, many employees already wear their school’s colors and “school pride wear.” I travel to schools throughout the county and have seen it on many occasions. In fact in the schools where I teach many teachers wear their school’s polo shirt colors and khaki bottoms. If we were told to wear uniforms we would, I am sure, comply to the rule. Being professionals, we are to dress that way in whatever we wear. Several schools where I have taught, have their own “dress policy.” I have never seen any teacher wear the stuff I used to see at Richmond Senior pre-uniform policy. Some of the things I saw girls wearing made me blush. How you can compare the faculty and staff to the children concerning uniforms is really comical. Everything I have heard from parents about the uniforms has been positive. They are cheaper to buy for one thing, and parents don’t have to fuss with their kids over what is too short, too low, etc. The only thing I think as a consumer that would help parents is for the stores to put the uniform items together. In some cases parents have to search the whole clothing section to find the pants and shirts. Since stores know the whole school system wears uniforms, why can’t they group them together? Other than that, the uniform policy has been great. I wish we could have had it years ago. Liberal Editorial Boards Unfairly Blame Republicans For Failure To Pass Minimum Wage Increase Lee P Butler The ‘unbiased’ Journal editorial board repeatedly shows their liberal slant through editorials they admit were written by consensus as they continually beat the ‘Republicans are divisive’ mantra saying they use ‘divide and conquer‘ tactics. The latest attack was based on the legislation that would have raised the minimum wage nationally that Democrats voted down. The Journal decided that Republicans were playing a ‘trick’ by tying tax cuts to the wage increase. Of course, Democrats never do that! Instead of Democrats working with Republicans to give both sides what they wanted, Democrats intentionally deprived themselves of their own issue using a dirty campaign ‘trick’ so liberal papers across the country could promote liberal Democrat talking points attacking Republicans specifically during the election season. Remember, according to these liberal editors, Republicans trying to protect the flag and marriage were divisive re-election campaign tactics. Yet state Democrats raising the minimum wage for less than 5 percent of the working population... that could have been done last year... And giving tax cuts to the rich are not. As for the estate tax, here’s a little info that doesn’t quite make the liberal talking points circuit in editorials. One of the richest men in America gave away his estate worth billions of dollars while he was still alive. This liberal Democrat billionaire supporter of the estate tax, prevented the government from collecting on those billions of dollars. Happens every day, but Republicans are the bad guys! While those divisive trickster Republicans are steadily fighting repressive taxation in this country for everybody they get attacked by liberal editorial boards in the process while Democrats get a free pass. Rich liberal Democrats beat the system, vote against what they claim to support and sanctimoniously castigate Republicans as playing partisan politics. Okay, we’re divisive. Now you look in the mirror and say, hypocrite.

	Voices From The Community As Letters To The Editor In The Local Paper Voices From The Community Archives Obama, Biden can’t deliver Mike Boylan The only things more nauseating than Patti Almanza’s letters are the political cartoons by Daryl Cagle and the other two brothers, Daryl and Daryl. Those political cartoons look like something you would expect to come from Russia. Oh yes, before I forget, I don’t want to leave Will Durst, the humorist out. I think he is as humorous as a massive coronary. It’s a shame the way they try and tear decent people down. The Democrats pretend to worry about how much experience Sarah Palin has. She has been the mayor of a small town, is the governor of a very large state and has been the commander of the Alaska National Guard for almost two years. That is more experience that Joe Biden and Barack Obama put together. There is no way Obama and Biden can deliver on all their pie in the sky promises. Our Commander-In-Chief needs to be well qualified   Bonnie Wheeler   When I opened up the letters to the editor section of the Richmond County Daily Journal recently, I was quite surprised to see my name along with two others being accused of interfering with one’s freedom of speech. Being one who has always been a strong advocate of all the freedoms provided by our Constitution including freedom of speech, I found this a bit disconcerting. Although I don’t share the individual’s enthusiasm for her political party or her choice for president, I will defend with my life her freedom to make that choice. For the first time in history there are two races running for the office of president and there will be some who will vote for color instead of issues on both sides of the political fence, however, race should never be a factor in determining how we vote. We have too many problems facing us and recent events have proved just how a strong defense is essential to our well-being.   The person selected as president will be our commander in chief. It is essential that he is well qualified for that position. And just as importantly he should be familiar with and willing to adhere to the values and principles on which this nation was founded. In a recent letter, Ron Murray encourages each of you to do a search to find how each candidate stands on the issues before voting. I will go a step further and suggest that if you don’t know what each candidate stands for, please do America a favor and stay home on voting day. Common sense solution to energy problem; drill here; now; and build nuclear plants   John Stone   The latest, shameful “babe” eruption from one of our national parties is deflecting voter interest from where it should be: The present energy crisis in the U.S. This present energy crisis is the child of years of inaction by the politicos of both national parties. Yet, most Americans do know the common sense solution; drill here; now; and build nuclear plants as efficient as the ones used by our US Navy in their top ships of the line. Meanwhile, poorer citizens still have to drive their old cars to work; home energy bills wreck family budgets, the prices families pay at the grocery store still keep going higher and the U.S. continually falls further behind in employment, agriculture and factory production - even the price of our school system skyrockets because of our predilection to warehouse thousands of students with a consolidated school system.   Because of the latter, we must have hundreds of expensive school buses daily running hither and yon at almost $5 a gallon. It isn’t funny how the social engineers of the 1960’s have been proven wrong time and again; yet, we keep electing them to office and then wondering why we’re in our present messes. Last questions: What will happen the day after the new president-elect is sworn into office? Anyone want to bet that gas pump prices won’t skyrocket more unless something substantial is done before the swearing ceremony takes place in January? Vote For Change In Richmond County   Dan Moody   Don’t rock the boat. We all are afraid of change and resist it, in our lives. But you know, if your car was broken in your driveway, and it’s been there for a while, you might want to let things be. Doing all the same old way things, like you have been. It’s still nice to sit in and listen to the radio with the doors open.   When the wind blows thru the window, it cools you down. You know, “Go with the flow of things” “Don’t rock the boat.” But you know if you look beyond your fear of change, you might just take it to your local repair shop, and you would most likely get it back a lot better off than it has been in your driveway for some time. You might even be able to use it to do things again. This town and/or county are like that old car. It will not get to the shop on its own. It will still be there in it same old spot. Until you do something to get it fixed. Voting for new blood would be like a tune-up or an oil change. Not voting would be like sitting in that broken car, listening to the radio until the battery is used up and it dies. Also Having To Correct The Misinformation Campaign Allowed In The Local Paper    Barbara Leviner Jackson   Ms. Almanza's last two letters have caused me to laugh out loud. The idea that the Daily Journal is not biased in favor of Democrats or that Dan Rather is a Republican demonstrates just how wrong Ms. Almanza herself can be. For weeks and weeks and more weeks the Daily Journal has not written their own editorials; we've been forced to read those written by other news outlets. However the Journal did break their silence long enough to tout Mr. Wayne Goodwin, as usual. What Dan Rather and his minions did was wrong and most of them lost their jobs over it, Dan included. When she said that I hate all liberals and placed that in quotations indicates that I said just that and I did not. Both Ms. Almanza and Mr. Murray have expressed that it was a democratic congress that approved the money that Congressman Hayes brought to our county but that has just been since 2006 when the Democrats took congress, prior to that, it was a Republican congress. But regardless of what congress approved the money, it was Congressman Hayes who had to work to get it.   Additionally Ms. Almanza was right and I was wrong about the WMD referred to in Mr. Sada's book. I've been wrong before and probably will be again. But Ms. Almanza is not gracious enough to say, Ms. Jackson was wrong or Ms. Wheeler was mistaken, even misinformed about her points. No, according to her we out and out lied. Anyone who repeatedly states that our military murdered thousands, is completely out of touch with the issue and possibly reality. However, there is hope for her. A good dose of working medicine will do wonders for what ailes her. Responding To Misinformation Campaign   Bonnie Wheeler   This continuance is not to vilify John Kerry but to verify the credibility of the Swift Boaters. In addition to indiscretions mentioned previously, Kerry mysteriously obtained a Purple Heart despite the fact that his superior, Lt. William Schacht had refused his request. This award is only given when there is enemy fire and there was none on the day in question. Kerry fired his own gun and received a tiny piece of shrapnel in his arm. No one can explain how he got the Purple Heart.   After returning home and finding the 'Nam war not as popular as he had assumed, Kerry used Black Panther, Al Hubbard, (among others) to denigrate his former comrades. Hubbard appeared on NBC’s "Meet the Press" with Kerry and related horrible crimes he had witnessed in Vietnam. Records later revealed that Hubbard had never been to 'Nam. In 1971, Swift Boater John O’Neill confronted Kerry on the Dick Cavett show about his actions that put his former comrades in danger. This lends credibility to the Swift Boaters’ claims that Kerry was not telling the truth. For the record, Republicans did not fund O’Neill’s appearance on that show. In 2004, Kerry phoned vets who served with him on the boat asking that they support him in the election. Some refused — others accepted which might prove Almanza’s claim, "money talks." As for the forged documents against President Bush, CBS reported that a top Kerry campaign official admitted that he was in touch with Bill Burkett about the documents before they were aired. Further, contrary to the claim, McCain never fathered a child out of wedlock. He and his wife, Cindy, adopted a child from Mother Theresa's orphanage in Bangladesh, brought her to the United States for medical treatment and ultimately adopted her. The opposition used this to spread the false rumor. In conclusion, I have never claimed the status of Christian or non-Christian in this, nor any other newspaper. When Are Democrats Going To Quit Playing The Blame Game   Bonnie Wheeler   First, in response to the question, where is bin Laden, we are still looking. If this administration gets the same opportunity that the former administration had to get him, you can believe he will be captured. Patti Almanza obtained the information for her recent letter from an interview by Fox News with George Sada. I just happen to have that interview in my files.   In response to a question by Bob Beckel, Sada responded that projects for nuclear weapons were destroyed in 1981 - he did not say that the much publicized WMDs were destroyed. Earlier in this interview Sada had responded to a question by Hannity that the WMDs were sent to Syria just before the war, 2002-2003. Therefore, when Beckel asked if there were WMDs in Iraq when the troops arrived, he responded “Not in Iraq.” We need to include all the information when relaying facts. Just the absence of one word can sometimes distort the meaning of an entire story. That being said, Democrats must take the some of the blame for the war in Iraq. It all began under the Clinton Administration. The former administration got the information, believed the WMDs existed and passed that information to Bush and he, along with Democrats and Republicans (from the former administration) decided to invade Iraq. I believe both administrations got it right, however. Bush’s continuance of the Clinton/Iraq controversy could have prevented al-Qaida from obtaining those weapons which he would have used to murder thousands. So when are Democrats going to quit playing the blame game and own up to their participation in this war now that it has decreased in popularity? When that place that we are all trying to avoid freezes over. Give Republicans A Try   Billy Moss   I always find it very interesting the amount of venom that is spewed out towards Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush by the fringe of the "liberal" democratic party. Ronald Reagan brought us back from more than 20 percent interest rates and gave us back our optimism that yes we are a great country, and by the way, he might have had a little something to do with ending the Cold War. George Bush has made his share of mistakes mostly when trying to work with Democrats on social spending programs but answer this one question for me. How many times have we been attacked since 9-11?   The war in Iraq has definitely not gone as we would have liked and any of our soldiers lives that have been lost is a tragedy, but for those who think that the war has been a total loss, you might need to think again. The president at least had the courage to try and do something instead of handing it over to the United Nations. What we need in this country are true Republicans and not those who are Republicans in name only. All Democrats who wish to join the movement please feel free to do so by voting for McCain for president, Fred Smith for governor, Robin "gets something done" Hayes and how about let's try electing a Republican or two to our local government to see if this county can reach its potential? You never know until you give it a try. Democrats Repent? - Naaa   Bonnie Wheeler   First, Thanks to Mr. Murray for his service to our country. There are, however, implications in his letter that need correcting. Despite the perverted efforts of Democrats, the statements by the Swift Boaters (Veterans for Truth) were never disproved. These brave men were in 'Nam for a long period of time and their ship served alongside John Kerry’s for the four months that Kerry served in 'Nam. His request to return home was granted.   A direct quote by former Navy Secretary John Lehman, whose signature appears on one of Kerry’s citations: "It is a total mystery to me. I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me." Kerry’s claim of discarding his medals was also proved untrue. These are facts that have been verified. So you see, Mr. Murray, it was not the "Veterans for Truth" who were "selling their soul for a few pieces of silver." Kerry has also refused to release records that contain evaluations by his commanding officers. Free choice does not make one’s "blood boil." You should take great pride as a "Southern Born White American veteran" that on May 3, you will be able to cast your vote by voting for the first black American candidate. This was made possible with the blood, sweat and tears of patriots like the "Veterans for Truth" who were willing to stay the course. It is true that Atwater, Republican, used dishonest strategy against Republicans and Democrats and he did, indeed, repent. Now if only the Democrat strategists would repent for their political dishhonesty and misrepresentations such as the forged documents against President Bush and more recently, the fabrication against Senator McCain! Democrats Repent? - Naaa - for them that would be so out of character. Liberal Democrats Want To Take Christ Out Of Christmas!    Barbara L. Jackson   I want to thank Ms. Myra Singletary for her letter about Christmas; I too have celebrated in the same ways she wrote of, except I know exactly "who is behind the campaign to take Christ out of Christmas"    It's the liberals of the Democratic Party!    The democrats support a policy of abortion on demand, anytime, anywhere, any age; and gay marriage;  they support the redistribution of incoming, taking your money and giving to another who simply many times, won't be responsible for himselve; open borders with illegal immigrants being allowed to attend Community College, get a driver's license, vote and receive Social Services.    Appartently they do not understand "illegal".    And they support the removal of all reference of God from the public square.  That's a fact!  They want "In God We Trust" removed from the money and the Pledge of Allegiance, removal of any reference to God  from school, no praying at sports events, the courthouse or any other government building.    But you can't tell our local democrats that; they're in denial or have blinders on or as I've heard many say "oh, that's just in other places, it has nothing to do with me".  Many continue to vote as a democrat because their parents did. Do they understand that they are putting people with these ideologies and principles in office to make law and policy?     Either they don't know what their party stands for or they don't care!  But the fact is, if you vote for a democrat, you vote in favor of the very thing that Ms. Singletary is talking about!     So, if it is the Devil, we have some serious problems here in Richmond County.    Thank you. Private organizations should be in charge Bonnie Wheeler Editor, Contrary to a recent letter: Churches and private citizens should be in charge of soup kitchens. The government should have nothing to do with it. Towns and neighborhoods are more able to assess the needs of their communities than the politicians in Washington. Jesus is not a socialist: Among His commandments which many of our leaders have ignored is "Thou shalt not steal." This means that no one has the right to forcefully take from another. However, I do agree with the writer's statement "we open huge charge accounts with the Chinese, Japanese, Iranians, etc." This only reinforces my case. National debt has escalated down through the years and will continue to increase unless we change our welfare system. The government's effort to place everyone on an equal economic level is "breaking the bank." The only obligation of federal government is to insure that each individual has the equal right to use his God-given abilities - then allow each to take pride in his own accomplishments. The recent proposal to force Americans to pay the medical insurance for children other than their own is despicable! Kruschev, America's most hostile enemy and who once promised to bury America, had this to say: "You Americans are so gullible. No, you won't accept communism outright, but we'll keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you'll finally wake up and find you already have Communism. We won't have to fight you. We'll so weaken your economy until you'll fall like overripe fruit into our hands." Americans must not, through misunderstanding and misguided compassion, allow the prediction of Kruschev to come true. We must arm ourselves with the knowledge of the actions of our leaders as well as the results of those actions - to put it more aptly, we must see beyond "the ends of our own noses." Last but not least, a strong national defense should be our top priority. A strong military always has been and continues to be essential to the survival of America. Woe Is Me Writer's Letters Are Hateful And Dripping With Intolerance   Barbara Leviner Jackson   Ms. Cassandra Smith is quick, quick to take exception to almost everything that Ms. Bonnie Wheeler writes; she is quick, quick to jump on the Woe is me, I'm black and I'm offended bandwagon.    Ms Wheeler is obviously quite a learned lady as demonstrated by the historically factual statements made in all her letters.  She obviously is quite sophisticated as demonstrate by the tact and diplomacy used in the phrasing of her letters and the tolerance shown to those with differing opinions.    Ms. Smith, while obviously quite educated herself, is quick to demean and make a racial issue out of statements made by those she deems white.  The tone of her letters in response to Ms. Wheeler's are hateful and dripping with intolerance.  What Ms. Wheeler said was true, factual and certainly not offensive!    I've heard lots of Black Americans say that had their ancestors not been brought here as a slave, they would not have the freedoms and opportunites offered in our country; they would be in Africa.  Does Ms. Smith think that one compares with the other? Her own African Kings sold her  ancestors into slavery; that's a fact.  How does she want them to pay?      If only Ms. Smith could be offended by the almost total destruction of the black family; ie a 80% illegitimacy rate, here in Richmond County alone; children who have little or no contact with their fathers; 1 in 4 young black men involved in criminality, mostly committed against their own communities; lower educational achievement; higher unemployment; or is this to be blamed on the white man too. There are no slaves now; the White man freed them, remember!     To Mr. George McRae, I would bet money that had Dr. Wells won the election through the same process as His Honor Mayor-Elect Smart, Mr. McRae would have said nary a word!  And further I would bet that had the Mayor-Elect lost, he would have done so with alot less whining and certainly more gracefully. Yes, it is an overreaction Bonnie Wheeler Editor, I had no idea that racism of the magnitude recently displayed in a letter still existed. In response to the comments about slavery, 1.4 percent of Americans owned slaves and that includes black slave owners as well. The slaves were snatched, not by Americans but by citizens of their own country and sold into slavery. How heart breaking it must have been for those who were betrayed by their own nation. There was no mention of this in the previous letter, however - the criticism was all directed at the white man. I am aware of the past treatment of African-Americans. I was on a soap box of my own protesting the treatment. There was a name attached to me by some of my neighbors that cannot be repeated here. However, I disagree that racism is still being practiced. There seems to be more hate coming from another direction now as indicated by the recent letter. I am also aware that inferiority is not God's plan -people and nations must take credit for their own shortcomings. Likewise, people of nations that have succeeded and have become as strong as America deserve the credit for that, as well. It was the intelligence, civility, talents and hard work of Whites, Indians and African-Americans together that made this nation great. One could not have accomplished it without the other. Now for the benefit of another whom I succeeded in confusing, a previous statement needs correcting. The statement should have read 'the injustice of slavery has one advantage - it enabled descendants of those who were brought here as slaves to become citizens of America. This is not a new revelation but a well-known fact. I actually borrowed it from a local whose ancestors came here as slaves. And now to answer the writer's question "Do you believe that is an overreaction on my part?" Well, yes! No offense intended, however. Will Flip-Flopping Hillary Turn White House Into Romper Room Again?    Bonnie Wheeler Anyone who would condone Bill Clinton's shenanigans for the many years that Hillary did for a chance to become the first woman president might just deserve our vote. However, I have a few questions of concern should she become our next President: Will she raise taxes, as her husband did, which led to the decline of the economy toward the end of his presidency? Will she continue to flip-flop on the Iraq war - boast about voting for the Iraq war as she did in 2004 or claim that she was duped as she did in 2006? Will she, like her husband, allow terrorists to train here in the USA for another attack? Will she withdraw the measures enacted by George Bush, which has kept us safe from attacks for six years? Last, but not least, will she allow her husband Bill to, again, turn the Oval Office into a romper room? Facts Belie 'No-Brainer' Bonuses Ron York Editor, I support Mr. Lambeth’s concerns about the county bonus money. And I believe he deserves a more professional response to the question rather than “It is a no-brainer that we are showing our appreciation to be able to keep our employees.” Mr. Haynes may very well be an excellent county manager, but I’m sure he is being paid a six-figure salary to accomplish his duties. This is in a county that has 46,564 people, with a per capita income of $14,485, and 19.60 percent of the population live below the poverty line, according to the 2000 census. If in fact Mr. Haynes’ efforts in developing a better, more cost effective health plan for county employees has resulted in a $200,000 a year savings or almost a one-cent tax savings. The taxpayers should have only received a nine-cent tax increase per $100 in July instead of the 10-cent increase. I’m sure the county has a good fund balance, “it is a no-brainer” the county has had a 15-cent tax increase per $100 in property tax during the past two years. And along with this many county services have been reduced or increased in cost. Yes Mr. Lambeth, if the voters become educated and look at the facts, six commissioners voted for the bonuses and Ms. Dillman did not. These are things voters should recall when the time comes, Richmond County can become a great place to live and work for all who live here; but we the public must do our part, because our elected officials have a different agenda. We Created The Monster, We Destroyed The Monster, We Will Clean Up The Mess Left Behind   Ron Neal Why did we go to Iraq? Ummm 17 UN resolutions, repeated chances, large vehicles seen moving equipment across the border into Syria. The murder of thousands of innocent people. Nah that couldn’t be it. After all no WMDs, we wanted the oil, the president wanted revenge. The reason doesn’t matter, it was the right thing to do. Motivation has little to do with it. Iraq was our created mess. Anyone remember the Iran hostage crisis in the 70s? From that time forward the U.S. supported Iraq with money and equipment “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” was the thought. The U.S. created a monster that destroyed the lives of thousands. That was reason enough to go into Iraq.   Now anyone could argue, we have a bigger mess and I would agree. I would also say it is still our mess. A Flaming Liberal Barbara Leviner Jackson I just be dang, a flaming liberal right here in the middle of Hamlet! A moveon.org, hate America, blame America first liberal; an abortion for everyone, anytime, anyplace, right until birth liberal; a borders wide open for illegal immigrants liberal; an over tax those that have prospered and give it to those that refuse to be responsible; refuse to take birth control; refuse to get an education; refused to work consistently; refuse to be a good provider for their children liberal.  A flaming liberal!  Ms. Patti Almanza's letter to the Editor, of which she obviously is proud of as evidenced by her desire to have her email address and phone number published, was indeed shameful!  Just who has our Military committed the "systematic, planned annihilation", genocide against?  What news agency did she get that from?  How many were killed?  Who were the generals in charge?  Where and when did it occurr?  Since 2003 the Iraqi people have been murdered by their own people or by other Arabs; not our military!  Heinous crimes committed two hundred years ago counts for nothing now!  We can't go back!  As a Native American with African-American and white ancestors, I don't live on a reservation; I own my home!  And we use these terms because that is the way we want to be identified.  Aren't we still equal to Ms. Almanza?  What part of illegal immigrant does Ms. Almanza not understand?  Is It  wrong that Americans would want people to enter our country legally, to know who they are, if they are criminals, thugs, terrorist, where they will work and live and if they will be paying taxes!  If Ms. Almanza is so concerned about the Iraqi people, has she given any thought to what will happen to the people that have helped us if we're pulled out on the Democrat's cut and run policy?  Murder is what she'll see! Finally to accuse our military of genocide and murder, the same military that stands ready to rush into the night while Ms. Almanza sleeps securely, to protect, defend and avenge our country and our people, is ignorant of the facts and plain damn un-American! But in America, she can talk all the crap she wants about our military and our government and they will defend her right to do so but I don't have to! Fix Richmond County's economic problems to get the business we want!   Marvin Powell Editor,   If I were a business owner and considering relocating, there are several items I would consider. These might be taxes, unemployment, welfare, the school system and the appearance of the area. In considering Richmond County I would find: Taxes among the highest in the state. Unemployment among the highest in the state. Welfare among the highest in the state. A school system with 14 of 18 schools not meeting standards. Trash on all the roads and burned out buildings or those in need of repair all over the county. If I were to relocate, it would mean I would bring my family as well as some of my employees' families. In looking at the above, why would I even consider Richmond County? It seems to me that the money we spend on economic development and studies, we could better utilize fixing the problems. If these problems were corrected we could spend more time choosing the business we wanted rather than trying to lure a business just because it is a business. If politicians won't listen, vote them out of office   Jim Webb Editor,   Richmond County is the most unpolitical County I have ever seen. Around here, someone gets elected and they just stay there until they die or retire. Everything Richmond County gets bad - they ask for. We have a great congressman who want's to help us, but nobody goes to vote because they don't think their vote counts, but it does and everybody can vote who will go and sign up and are legal. If you would do it (vote) I would bet the people that raise our taxes and shove things down our throat might see that "we the people" run Richmond County. It's always been Democrats getting voted in and we do have a two-party system here. Locals don't want to run as a Republican because they are scared they won't win, because of us not wanting to vote for them. Sign up and vote. You can vote early or they will send a form to you in the mail if you are home bound. And I'm sure that someone at the Republican Party would be glad to give you a ride to the voting office or to the polls. And I would be glad to do it. Let's begin to change Richmond County by voting for the people who will listen, and if they don't - vote them out. Democrats Want People To Register And Vote On The Same Day... Do You See A Problem Here? Bob Russell Well it would seem Democrats in the state of North Carolina both don’t trust the will of the voting public and at the same time want to confound the process so that nobody knows what the actual will of the people is. It recently came to light that Democrats want to disregard the votes of people in the state by side-stepping the whole Electoral College when deciding a candidate for U.S. President. Since this was never the intention of our Fore-Fathers and would take an amendment to the Constitution, they simply want to subvert the process and disenfranchise all the minority states. That’s bad enough, but now the Democrats in the Senate have passed legislation on a vote of 33 to 15 to allow individuals to register to vote up to three days before an election. One-stop voting sites are open through the Saturday before an election. Think about it, the election boards across the state don’t even have three days to verify those registrations. In all reality, they only have that Monday to complete the task. Not to mention the extra pressure those hard-working individuals have to endure added to the election system already in place. Here’s the part that gets left out of the reporting on this story, those people who register at one-stop get to vote that same day! And pray tell, what voter-registration ID requirements do these Democrats think are acceptable to be able to vote in this state already? A utility bill, bank statement or paycheck, they don’t even have to have a Social Security card or drivers license. Besides Governor Easley has made it the easiest state in the union to get a drivers license. What’s next, elected Democrats will choose who gets elected in races across the state! Oh wait, they already can and have! Our freedom was paid for and maintained with blood, sweat and tears Bonnie Wheeler Editor, I am confused by Mr. Murray's statement that this invasion of Iraq is about oil. I would like for him to elaborate on the subject and relay any facts he has that would support the claim. There is no reason for George Bush or Bill Clinton to invade Iraq because of oil - neither are in the oil business. The invasion by both presidents was because of the WMDs that were there or those they thought were there, whichever one chooses to believe, and has now turned into a war against terrorism. As difficult as it may be, it is imperative that we defeat terrorism now or our children and grand children will be fighting a much stronger force on USA soil. The statement implying that America is “blood-thirsty” borders on insanity. This is not the first war against terrorism America has fought. My generation lost 450,000 of its most brave patriots in the war against Hitler. This is a tragedy that could have been avoided had Britain and FDR confronted Hitler when he began building his forces. Instead, they looked the other way as Hitler became so strong that he almost conquered every nation in his path. Had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbor, which drew America into the war, Hitler would have been ruler of the entire world. As someone has said “war is hell,” but it took wars to accomplish the freedoms that we are now enjoying. The first war was to establish our independence from Britain and began with a few people who were tired of high taxes and laws that made reading the Bible in public a criminal offense. That's something that we should think about. In a few days, we will be celebrating that Independence. On that day, be reminded that our freedom was paid for and maintained with blood, sweat and tears -not by blood-thirsty men but by those who loved America and the principles on which it was founded. Keep America strong — vote Republican Wayne Simmons Well let’s see, I guess the Democrats can be proud of their Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She met with the president of Syria who by the way is a state sponsor of terror, she told lies about Israel, she tried to make our president look bad and she helped pass a bill that will hurt our men and women in uniform. I could go on and on, but I won’t. I am glad that President Bush will veto the bill and show that he is still in control. It is a shame that people like Pelosi, Jimmy Carter, Rosie O’Donnell, Hillary Clinton, Kennedy, Harry Reid, Murtha and the rest of the Democrats that seem to think the way to win the war on terror is to cut and run. I hope that President Bush will continue to be firm, and stand strong against all the people that wish to do harm to America and Israel. Come November 2008, we need to vote Republican in order to keep America strong! Is it really the administration that lied here? Bonnie Wheeler Editor, “The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.” These are words of the president that enraged Joe Wilson. Wilson said that his wife had nothing to do with his being sent to Nigeria, however, the Senate investigation report states that a CIA official told the Senate committee that Plame “offered up” Wilson’s name for the Niger trip. Then on Feb. 12, 2002, sent a memo to a deputy chief in the CIA’s directorate of operations saying her husband “has good relations with both the Prime Minister and the former Minister of Mines (not to mention lots of French contacts), both of whom could possibly shed light on this sort of activity.” Further, the investigative report states that Wilson’s work was inconclusive. In that case, Wilson should not have been debunking, in public, the claims of an Iraq-Niger deal. The report also states the former Ambassador used press reports made declarative statements debunking the authenticity of documents he had never seen and was chastised by this committee for doing so from a recent British report about uranium “while finding that the intelligence on Iraq’s alleged weapons was “seriously flawed” — Mr. Bush’s statement and a similar one by Blair were “well-founded.” The fact that Wilson and his wife had a biased view of the subject from the very beginning suggests that Wilson would have been looking for information that would discredit the claim that the British government had made to Bush. Mr. Murray made my case of the unfairness of the Democrat party with the negative remark about Fox News while failing to mention CBS, whose broadcast falsified documents in order to discredit Bush. Just “fair and balanced” Mr. Murray — that’s all we’re asking. Bush should pardon Scooter Libby Bonnie Wheeler Editor, With campaigning for the 2008 elections already under way, we need to be aware of the political tricks that will be used by candidates. The “gotcha” strategy has become popular recently. For example, a government official or a party appointee is embroiled in a series of tricky questions before a congressional committee. The victim will sometimes, due to a faulty memory, answer in error. The opposition then will raise questions about the accuracy or truthfulness of some remote area of his testimony and he will be charged with lying. Such is the recent case of Scooter Libby. No crime was committed in the Valerie Plame case because Plame was not considred a covert agent, yet the Democrats made it appear that someone had committed the unpardonable sin by leaking information that led to her identity. During a barrage of questions that was directed at Scooter Libby concerning this, he answered in error, possibly due to a memory lapse, and was accused of lying to the FBI. He was then found guilty of lying about a case which was not even a crime in the first place. Sen. Harry Reid, the Democrat Senate Majority Leader, declares that President Bush must pledge not to pardon Libby “for his criminal conduct,” a stance echoed by other Congressional Democrats. Where was Sen. Reid in 1998 when it was quite apparent that our President was lying under oath? Despite the outcry by Democrats for the lynching of Libby, let’s hope that George W. Bush will have the intestinal fortitude to use his presidential pardon privilege to immediately absolve Libby of this miscarriage of justice. Add these to your ‘do not vote’ list Bonnie Wheeler Editor, Kudos to Joanie Lomax on her commentary of Feb 9, “Don’t tolerate the loss of our language” I totally agree. There are 38 Senators who have voted against making English the official language of America: Thirty-six Democrats, one Independent, and one lone Republican. The lone Republican was Sen. Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico. Those included in the 38, who may and those who will be running for the presidency in 2008 are: Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Joe Biden (D-Del.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Harry Reid (D-NV), all Democrats. Remember these names and add them to your “do not vote for” list before you go to the polls in the next election if you want English to remain the official language of the USA. Fonda and others need to relocate Wayne Simmons I just wanted to agree with Mr. O’Neal. Jane Fonda is a traitor and should be charged with treason. It is so disgusting to see people like her and Cindy Sheehan try to make our brave men and women in uniform look like murderers. It is also pathetic how they get on TV and talk the way they do about our president. It seems to me that Jane Fonda, Cindy Sheehan, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and that has-been Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, John Edwards, and Hillary Clinton need to all move out of the country. If we want to ever win the war on terror, we need to vote Republican in ’08. My prayers to all our military. Hanoi Jane still disgraces armed forces Edward J. O’Neal Jane Fonda (Hanoi Jane) has opened her ugly mouth and protested this time against the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I served 51/2 years in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Jane Fonda and her former husband, Tom Hayden, sent shiploads of medical supplies to North Vietnam, made broadcasts on Radio Hanoi with Hanoi Hannah, she read the dog tags of troops and letters from their families of those who had been killed or captured. I personally feel Hanoi Jane was responsible for the death of thousands of Americans. When pilot John McCain was shot down and captured, who is now a senator; he was severely beaten by his North Vietnamese captors when he refused to have an interview with her when he was a prisoner. Now her opposition to Iraq and Afghanistan is going to cost more American lives. In Washington, D.C., she referred to President Bush as a criminal. My definition of a criminal is someone who kills innocent people and that fits Jane Fonda. When I was in Vietnam, I personally heard her on Radio Hanoi and saw pictures of her sitting on an anti-aircraft gun wearing a North Vietnamese helmet. It appears that if you are rich and famous our State Department, above anyone’s imagination, will not bring charges of treason against her. She has committed the same offenses as Saddam. Every American who believes in this country should scorn this individual. Not only did she refuse to apologize for her actions, she continues to bring disgrace upon our armed forces and country. Pack your bags — I want to be president Hannah White I would like to say that I am not just a pretty face. I am 12 years old, but I know if I set my mind to it I could do just as well as any other man or woman. Mr. Caudle is very much mistaken. Women were put on this earth for many reasons. I would like to let him know that pleasing men is not one of them. I would love to see a woman become president. Not Hillary Clinton, but someone like Elizabeth Dole or Condi Rice. I am of the younger generation. My plans are to attend college and become a lawyer. I plan to work my way up the ladder. I want to some day be president. Pack your bags Mr. Caudle because in 30 years you are moving to Mongolia.  Robin Hayes deserves a thank you this year Jim Webb This is a New Year and I would like to start it off by thanking a man that has done so much for this county. When I looked at the paper the other day I saw where our unemployment rate was down. I looked at the new airport and the new jobs this county has got. The big thing is I know we have a VA clinic coming also, which could have gone somewhere else. The man I’m speaking of is also working on getting money for a new courthouse and jail, which we need badly. So with all this said, thank you Robin Hayes on a job well done. If people don’t see what you have done for us as a county, I would not blame you if you never did anything for us again. I know you will keep doing your job, even though people don’t want to admit that you are the best thing that ever happened to Richmond County.